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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help
...but written for one!Mr Lazarus has some good points. Also, an angle on the play is to look at its origin
as a possible wedding play. It's commonly believed that MSND was written and first
performed for a court wedding (forgive me for not being able to remember the exact
persons for whom it was written, but I can't find my notes at this moment). It really
is a strange play to perform before a wedding... Think about it: although it's a com-
edy, it's filled with some very dark imagery! In fact, many modern performances pro-
duce the play as a near-horror story.There are allusions to death in childbirth; a real possibility in Billy's day, but not
a terribly happy thought for young lovers who are about to wed! (II.i, about line 120)
Also, look at the strong language of shear hatred Lysander uses towards Hermia once
he's charmed. (II.ii, about line 140 or so)
Dreams of betrayal, notions of bestiality...
Also, you could look at from the point of view of marriage as invasion into mono-gender
groups.
I can't think of any exact act, scene and line references right now, but think of the
sort-of "Amazonian/Sisterhood" oath taken by Helena and Hermia (a scary kind of thought
to most of us men, that one).Hope that helps a bit.
Posted by LunarCaustic on March 28, 1997 at 16:06:30
In Reply to "Midsummer Night/Theseus" posted by Mary Ellen on March 27, 1997 at 17:53:24
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help